Key holder



Sept. 25, 1956 A. F. JACKSON 2,764,202

KEY HOLDER vFiled March 50, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTRVEY r Sept. 25, 1956 A, F. JACKSON 2,764,202

KEY HOLDER Filed March 30. 1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 United States Patent O KEY HOLDER Alexander F. Jackson, East Orange, N. J. Application March 30, 1954, Serial No. 419,818 17 Claims. (Cl. 150-40) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in key holders for holding a plurality of keys in compact form convenient for use.

A prime object of the present invention is to provide a key holder which is thin, dat and symmetrical and which is so constructed as to present a smooth surfaced -article of extremely compact form, occupying very little space and which is adapted to fit in the small pocket of a garment, such as a vest pocket, a money Change pocket of a coat, a trousers watch pocket, a swimming trunk pocket, or in a receptacle such as a ladys small hand bag or purse and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key holder which supports the keys in a protected fashion so as to avoid unnecessary wear on the keys from movement thereof and to avoid protruding irregular shaped and sharp key edges or exposed metal parts likely to wear holes in the garment or receptacle in which the holder is carried.

Another prime object of this invention is to provide a key holder which enables the user to operate it with one hand and particularly to quickly remove any key from the holder with one hand; or if the key is in the lock, as a car ignition key, the key holder, with other keys therein, may be snapped off with one hand and other keys therein used then as desired or returned to carrying means etc., a desirable feature for various purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key holder which is adapted to accommodate a plurality of tumbler lock type keys or a plurality of flat steel type keys or both types.

Y Another object of the invention is to provide a key holder with separate key supports associated with identifying means which can be easily observed in the day and felt at night whereby a proper or selected key may be conveniently and easily indicated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a keyholder of capacity, whereby instead of all keys being bunched haphazardly, as on a key ring, keys may be arranged and supported in selected groups and each each grouping in a holder with a different cover color combination, as a group of household keys with two red covers, business or oflice keys in two black covers, automobile and garage keys in two green covers or keys for each member of a family with covers, one black and one red, one black and one green, one black and one yellow etc., that is, in compact groups kept in different pockets or by different persons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key holder made of materials which are non-corrosive, and a key holder which is neat, attractive and pleasing to the sight and touch as Well as functionally ecient.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key holder with means for attaching a flexible member thereto, such as a string, ribbon, chain and the like for securing the holder to an article of clothing, or for securing the holder around the neck of a child.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key ICC holder with resilient means for preventing displacement or discharge of the keys after the holder has been placed in a pocket of the user or other receptacle.

It is further proposed to produce a key holder which is simple and durable in construction and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invent-ion will be apparent from the description thereof to follow taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure` 1 is a perspective view of a key holder ernbodying my invention, showing a key in projected positien ready for use.

Figure 2 is a similar view with the keys in retracted position and with part of a cover member turned back to expose a key.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 4, showing `the interior of the case in solid lines, and a key in projected position in dotdash lines.

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view through the complete key holder, the section being indicated by the plane` of the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional View lthrough the complete key holder, the section being indicated by the plane of the line 5--5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing a step in the removal of a key from the holder.

Figure 7 is a similar view showing a step in the insertion of a key into the holder.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the plate.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the` embodiment of the invention shown comprises a pair of elongated rectangular parallel outer cover members or plates 1, 1, between which there is centrally mounted a key supporting or backing plate 2 of metal or rigid plastic having opposed integral tubular hub portions 3, 3, at its center, for spacing the cover members and providing a compartment 4 on either side of said key supporting plate. The cover members may be formed of suitable flexible or elastomeric plastic material, such as vinyli-te, or may be formed of leather, and are concaveconvexo in configuration, with curved edges 5 facing each other in opposed relation. Each cover member is formed with a central opening 6 having a tapered edge wall and with an elongated recess 7 formed in its outer surface around the opening and extending diagonally of the longitudinal aiXs or median line of the cover member. An opening 8 is also formed in each cover member outwardly of the recess and adjacent each end of the member, said openings being arranged along the longitudinal median line of the recess.

An elongated spring metal plate 9, of the llat halfelliptic type with arcuate ends, preferably of stainless spring steel, is seated in the recess 7 of each cover member, with its upper surface ush with the upper surface of the cover member. Plate 9 is formed with a central perforated countersunk portion 10 positioned in the opening 6 in the cover member. The plates 9, in the depression of the cover members, primarily secure them in proper position in relation to the backing plate 2 and pivot posts 16 thereon and reinforce the cover members and assist them in retaining their shape.

Interposed between the hub portions 3 of the plate 2 and the cover members 1, 1, there are metal spring members or plates 11, 11. Each spring member is the flat leaf half-elliptic type and is provided with an instruek spring portion or lip 12. formed by lancing the spring member adjacent each end hole thereof. Lip 12 extends inwardly at an angle to the plane of the body of the spring member in the opposite direction from` that key supporting of the corresponding end 13 of the leaf spring member, thereby producing a secondary cantilever spring end for the spring member which, with the extreme end of the spring member, produces a two-way action for the spring member. Outwardly of the instruck lip 12, each leaf spring member is formed with a hole 14, aligned with the hole 8 in the end of the adjacent cover member.

A tubular rivet 15, extending through the yaligned openings in the cover members and hub portions of the plate 2, fastens said parts together in assembled position.

The key supporting or backing plate 2 is formed with a pair of integral pivot posts or lugs 16, 16 protruding from one surface thereof, and with a similar pair of pivot posts 17, 17, protruding from the opposite surface thereof. As will be seen from Figure 8, the individual posts of a pair of posts are arranged on a diagonal line with respect to the longitudinal axis or median line of the plate so that they `are offset from each other and disposed on opposite sides of the hub portion 3, with their free ends extending through the holes 14 near the ends of spring members 11 and into the end holes 8 in the adjacent cover member 1.

The posts pivotally support keys 18, flatwise on the plate 2, in the compartments 4, arranged in oifset tumbled position so that the keys are adapted to swing in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3, when projected for use. The keys may be of ordinary tumbler lock type construction having a shank 19 and a perforated bow or bell portion 20, or keys of flat steel type may be used. When the keys are in closed or concealed position in the holder as shown in Figure 2, they are compaotly nested (sardine packing fashion) in the smallest possible volume arrangement (lengthwise, widthwise, and depthwise). In this position, the keys are clamped firmly on the key supporting plate 2 by the outer ends 13 of the inner leaf springs 11 and by the instruck lips 12 thereof pressing directly on the bow portions 20 of the keys. It will be noted from Figure 4 that the spring lip 12 bears upon the key at a point more distant from the key supporting post 16 than does the extreme end 13 of the inner leaf spring 11, thereby providing a rmer clamping action on the key when in the retracted position.

The outer cover leaf spring plates 9, which `are the shorter leaf of a two leaf semi-elliptical spring pair, are each so proportioned that the spring ends 22 thereof bear on the adjacent cover member 1 directly over the instruck spring lips 12 on the inner leaf springs 11, thereby increasing the clamping force or pressure exerted by said spring lips on the keys, this added pressure being particularly helpful when large and heavy keys are being held.

The arrangement and proportion of the spring lips 12 are such that many various types and shapes of key bows may pass thereunder and yet the lips will not get caught in the key edges, grooves and holes in the keys when the keys are swung to either projected or closed position. The spring lips are also adapted to lock thin steel keys in closed position as well as the thick large bow type keys. f

Insertion of the keys into a compartment 4 of the holder tends to straighten out the inclined spring lips 12 and to flatten out the adjacent cover member 1 so that a constant clamping pressure or force is exerted by the lips and inner leaf springs 11 on the keys.

According to the present invention, means is provided for identifying the various keys supported and ooncealed in the holder. For this purpose, the key supporting plate 2 is formed along its long edges with a plurality lof projections or knobs 21, in groups, for example, of one, two, three and four projections, each group being associated with a different one of the key supporting posts so that by merely looking at or feeling, with the inger, the number of projections in a group, the post is readily indicated and the particular key thereon identified.

To use a key, the edge of the cover member 1, adjacent the post supporting the desired key, is turned back as shown in Figure 2, by the thumb of the user, and the shank of the key moved by the thumb, in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, to extended or projected position, that is, to a position projecting from the right hand narrow end of the holder, with its long axis in line with the two pivot posts in the particular compartment 4 housing the key, which pivot posts show through the holes 8 in the cover member. When a key is in such projected position for use, the `adjacent end of the holder over the bow portion of the projected key is grasped and clamped between the thumb and forelinger of the user so that the key is irmly clamped to the plate 2 when it is being turned in the lock.

In order to insert a key in the holder, the edge of the covermember 1, adjacent the pivot post on which it is desired to mount the key, is turned back as shown in Figure 2, by the thumb, so that the adjacent inner leaf spring 11 may be observed. The heel end of the bow portion 20 of the key is then inserted between the inner leaf spring and the key supporting plate 2, at the center of the long side of said plate, opposite the central hub portion, where the space between the inner leaf spring 11 and the plate 2 is greatest. The key is then slid to the right until the heel of the bow portion 20, which is under the edge of the inner leaf spring 11, rests against the pivot post, at its left end, the right side of the key at this stage protruding outwardly from the right end of the holder. The bow portion of the key is then lifted upwardly until the inner leaf spring 11 is lifted above and clear of the top end of the post as shown in Figure 7, whereupon a light push on the heel of the bow portion to the left against the pivot post will cause the hole in the bow portion of the key to slip over and on to the post to supported position. The key can then be swung counterclockwise into compartment 4 to closed or carrying position under the spring lip 12 whereby said lip and inner leaf spring will be compressed and placed under tension for iirrnly clamping the key against displacement.

A key may be removed from the holder by grasping the holder between the fingers of one hand and with the other hand swinging the key clockwise to projected position as shown in Figure l. With the shank of the key held rmly between the thumb and forefnger, a slight lift upward on the post of the bow portion of the key, keeping the key parallel to the center plate 2, and a pull outward on the post will release the inner leaf spring 11 from the post, as shown in Figure 7, whereupon a further pull outward from the post will cause the key to slip off of the post for complete withdrawal from the holder.

A key may also be readily removed by a one-hand operation. For this purpose, the holder is placed in the hand so that the thumb is in a position to curl back a cover member 1, the cover member on the side of the holder facing the user, as shown in Figure 2. The thumb then engages the shank of the key and pushes it sidewise of the holder, swinging it clockwise, as viewed in Figure 2, to projected position. Next, with the foreiinger underneath the shank of the key, and using the right hand edge of the key supporting plate 2 as a fulcrum point, the user presses the thumb down on the shank 18-19 of the key over the foreiinger whereupon the heel of the bow portion of the key will tilt upwardly forcing the inner leaf spring 11 upwardly clear of the key supporting post, whereupon continued downward pressure by the thumb will snap the key olf of the post completely free of the holder, into a positoin between the forefinger and thumb of the user where it is held, as shown in Figure 6.

An important feature of the invention is the novel construction of the cover members 1, 1 of the holder. By reason of this construction, the holder is open 0n all four sides, yet due to the peculiar shape and the slight concaved inner surfaces of the cover members, when a key is inserted into a compartment 4 thereof, the adjacent cover member will be flattened out and will lie flat against the enclosed key and with its edges 5 will cover all of the projecting edges of the key and thereby protect the users pocket or receptacle from wear or other damage. However, the material of the cover members is sufficiently flexible or resilient to permit the curved edges 5 to be curled back by the thumb or forenger and the desired key quickly pushed and swung to projected position for use or removal as desired. When turning or curling pressure on the resilient edge is released, it returns, because of its inherent resiliency, to normal flat protecting position.

The holder illustrated accommodates a number of keys of various sizes and shapes and may hold up to four tumbler type keys, ranging in size up to the largest size, that is, the seven-tumbler size, or may hold up to eight keys of the dat steel type of 0.05 thickness, with two on a post.

A flexible member such as a string or ribbon or the like may be passed through the tubular rivet for hanging the holder around the neck of a child, if desired.

The structural elements comprising the holder are made of materials non-corrosive by salt water, perspiration and the like, ensuring that the holder will retain its attractive appearance throughout its useful life.

Changes in details of construction might be made without departing from the principle of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A key holder including a plate having a post on at least one surface and adjacent one edge thereof for pivotally supporting a key so that the key may be swung into overlying relation to the plate or into a position projecting from the plate, a exible cover member secured to said side of the plate in overlying relation to said post and free from said post, an elongated leaf spring secured to said plate and located between said cover and said sur- `face of the plate with one end normally in close proximity to said post and yieldingly urged toward said surface to clamp a key on said post between said spring and said plate, said end portion of said spring being springable beyond the end of said post and said cover being bendable away from said post to permit application and removal of the key to and from the post, respectively.

2. A key holder as defined in claim l wherein said leaf spring has an instruck lip extending inwardly away from the extremity of the spring and toward said surface of the plate, said extremity of the spring and said lip being normally yieldingly urged toward said surface of the plate and pressing against a key on said post when the key is swung inwardly of the holder between said plate and said cover.

3. A key holder as defined in claim 2, with the addi-y tion of an elongated leaf spring secured to said plate and said cover on the outer surface of the cover for retaining the cover in overlying relation to the plate and the key on the plate, the extreme end of said outer leaf spring exerting pressure through said cover over said instruck `lip to apply additional clamping force on said lip when the key is on said post and swung into the holder between said cover and said plate.

4. A key holder including a pair of spaced rectangular cover members, a rectangular key supporting plate disposed in the space between said cover members, opposed central hubs on said supporting plate for holding said cover members in spaced relation to provide compartments therebetween, a pair of posts protruding from the opposite surfaces of said plate for pivotally supporting keys, said posts being arranged diagonally of the longitudinal axis of the plate and being disposed on opposite sides of said axis, elongated leaf springs in the compartments, instruck lips on the ends of the leaf springs, fastening means connecting said cover members, key supporting plate and springs inwardly of said lips, said lips andthe extreme ends of said leaf springs pressing against the supported keys on the posts to clamp said keys against displacement on the plate, and elongated leaf springs secured by said fastening means on the outer surfaces of said cover members, said latter springs exerting pressure against the instruck lips on the inner leaf springs to apply additional clamping force to the keys when the keys are swung into the holder between said covers and said plate.

5. A key holder comprising a pair of spaced parallel resilient cover members having curved edges, a key supporting plate disposed centrally in the space between said cover members in normally covered position, springpressed means between said plate and said covers for releasably holding the keys on the plate against displacement, and fastening means connecting together said cover members, plate and spring pressed means, the edges of said cover members being rollable backward to provide access to the supported keys for manual manipulation thereof and being adapted to be returned automatically to normal covering position.

6. A key holder comprising a body formed of a pair of spaced resilient cover members having curved edges opposed to each other, said cover members being slightly concavo-convexo in configuration and having recesses in their outer surfaces, a key supporting plate disposed centrally in the space between said cover members in normally covered position, leaf springs, semi-elliptical in shape, for releasably holding the keys against displacement on the supporting plate, and leaf springs, semielliptical in shape, in the recesses of the cover members, for retaining the configuration of the cover members, fastening means connecting together said cover members, plate and leaf springs, the edges of the cover members being manually rollable backward to provide access to the supported keys for manual manipulation. thereof and being adapted to return automatically to normal covering position.

7. A key holder comprising a body formed of a pair of parallel spaced cover members, a plate disposed centrally in the space between the cover members, fastening means connecting together said cover members and plate, a pair of posts mounted on each surface of said plate for pivotally supporting keys thereon, the individual posts of each pair of posts being arranged diagonally of the longitudinal axis of the plate and being disposed on both sides of said axis, and a plurality of projections on the long side edges of said plate arranged in spaced groups of varying numbers of projections, each group being associated with a particular post for identifying the key supported on said post.

8. A key holder including a pair of spaced cover members, a rectangular plate between said cover members providing compartments therebetween, a pair of posts 0n each surface of the plate at its ends protruding into the compartments for supporting keys, the posts of each pair being arranged diagonally of the longitudinal axis of the plate and being disposed on both sides of said axis whereby the keys are supported ilatwise on the plate and are adapted to swing outwardly of the holder in one direction to projected position and inwardly of the holder in the opposite direction to retracted position, elongated leaf springs in the compartments, instruck lips on the leaf springs extending at an angle inwardly of and away from the extreme ends of the leaf springs providing secondary ends for said springs, fastening means connecting together said cover members, plate and springs, the ends of said lips and the extreme ends of the leaf springs being adapted to press against the supported keys to hold said keys against displacement on the plate, elongated leaf springs secured by said fastening means on the outer surfaces of the cover members arranged diagonally to the longi tudinal axis of said cover members, said outer leaf springs being arranged so that the extreme ends thereof exert pressure on the instruck lips of the inner leaf springs to apply additional clamping force on the keys when said keys are swung into retracted position between said cover members and said plate.

9. A key holder comprising a pair of spaced resilient rectangular cover members of concavo-convexo configuration with end holes and with curved opposed edges facing each other, a rectangular key supporting plate disposed in the space between the cover members, opposed hub portions on the plate spacing the cover members apart providing compartments therebetween, a pair of integral posts on each surface of the plate at its ends, the individual posts of each pair being arranged diagonally to the longitudinal axis of the plate and being disposed on both sides of said axis, said posts extending into the end holes in the cover members, elongated leaf springs of semi-elliptical shape in the compartments, instruck lips on the leaf springs inwardly of and extending away from the ends of said springs and providing secondary ends for said leaf springs, fastening means connecting together said cover members, plate and springs, the ends of said leaf springs and the ends of the lips being adapted to press against the keys on the plate to hold said keys against displacement, elongated leaf springs of elliptical shape secured by said fastening means on the outer surfaces of the cover members arranged diagonally of the longitudinal axis of the cover members for retaining the position of said cover members, the ends of said latter leaf springs being proportioned and arranged to exert pressure through the cover on the instruck lips on the inner leaf springs to apply additional clamping force on the keys when the keys are swung into the holder between said cover members and said plate, the curved edges of the cover members being rollable backward to expose the keys for manual manipulation thereof, and being adapted to be returned automatically to key covering position.

l0. A key holder having a pair of spaced outer, opensided exible cover members, a thin, rectangular, plate disposed centrally between the cover members, opposed central hubs integrally formed on each surface of said plate, means connecting said cover members to said plate, two key supporting posts integrally formed on each side of said plate, means for releasably holding keys on said posts and knobs on the long edges of said plate arranged in groups of one to four, one group for each post and adapted to be seen or felt providing means for identifying ya desired key by sight or touch.

1l. A key holder having a pair of spaced, outer, flexible cover members, a thin plate disposed centrally between the cover members, integral central hubs on opposed surfaces of the plate, integral pivot posts for keys on opposed surfaces of the plate, on opposite sides of the hubs, said cover members slightly overlapping the plate contour, leaf springs of semi-elliptical shape on opposite sides of each cover member with their ends normally yieldingly urged toward said plate, and a tubular rivet fastening said springs and cover members to the central hubs.

12. In a key holder, resilient open-sided cover members, said cover members each having an inwardly projecting flange on its peripheral edge, a hole adjacent each end thereof and a recess in its outer surface, a key holding plate disposed centrally between said cover members adapted to support keys within the confines of said flanged edges, key supporting posts mounted on each of opposite sides of said plate and extending through the end holes in said cover members, leaf springs mounted in the recesses in the outer surfaces of said cover members for retaining the shape of the cover members, and fastening means connecting together said cover members, plate and leaf springs the anged edges of said cover members being rollable backward and being adapted to return automatically to normal key covering position.

13. A key holder of rectangular form having a thin central plate with a central tubular hub on each side thereof, key posts integral with said plate protruding from each side thereof to pivotally support keys placed over said posts with the keys lying flat against the plate in the most compact dimensions, in a sardine-pack-like arrangement, semi-elliptical double-ended springs having holes near the ends of the springs to encompass the key posts, said springs being secured intermediate their ends with their ends normally yieldingly urged toward the plate to clamp the keys on said posts between said springs and said plate to the central hubs, flexible covers secured to the respective hubs and completely overlying opposite sides of the central plate and being free at their edges, a second leaf spring outside of each of the covers, said second spring being the shorter of the two leaf springs and secured to the respective central hubs, said outer springs clamping the covers against the rst inner springs and positioning the covers on the holder with the holes in the covers over the key posts.

14. A key holder including a pair of spaced resilient cover members, a plate between said cover members providing compartments therebetween and secured to said cover members centrally thereof, a pair of posts on each surface of the plate at its ends protruding into said compartments for pivotally supporting keys, the posts of each pair being arranged diagonally of the longitudinal axis or median line of the plate and being disposed on opposite sides of said axis or line whereby the keys are supported atwise on said plate and are adapted to swing outwardly of the compartments in one direction to projected position and inwardly of the compartments in the opposite direction to retracted position, an elongated leaf spring secured intermediate its ends to each side of said plate in the corresponding compartment, the extreme ends of the leaf springs having holes into which the corresponding posts extend, fastening means connecting together said cover members, said leaf springs and said plate said extreme ends of the leaf springs being normally yieldingly urged toward said plate to press against the keys on the respective posts to hold said keys against displacement from the plate and being also springable beyond the free ends of said post to permit application and removal of the keys to and from the posts, respectively.

15. A key holder as dened in claim 14 wherein there are instruck lips on the leaf springs extending at an angle inwardly of the extreme ends of said leaf springs and into the respective compartments to engage the keys at the sides of said posts opposite said extreme ends of the leaf springs.

16. A key holder as defined in claim 15 with the addition of elongated leaf springs on the outer surfaces of said cover members and secured intermediate their ends by said fastening means to said plate and to the first mentioned leaf springs and to said cover members with their ends arranged over said lips to exert pressure through the cover members on said instruck lips to apply additional clamping force on the keys.

17. A key holder including a plate having a post on at least one surface thereof for pivotally supporting a key, a resilient cover member secured to said side of the plate in overlying relation to said post, an elongated leaf spring secured to said plate and located between said cover and said surface of the plate with one end free and provided with a hole into which said post extends, said end of the leaf spring being adapted to press against a key on said post and being also adapted to be sprung beyond the end of the post to permit application and removal of the key to and from the post, respectively.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,493,689 Marcus May 13, 1924 2,006,286 Waller lune 25, 1935 2,387,319 Evans Oct. 23, 1945 2,433,644 Bennetch Dec. 30, 1947 2,517,500 McPherson et al. Aug. 1, 1950 

